When I arrived at the airport, I was shocked to spot Stephanus—of all places. He was here! He looked anxious, as if he were waiting for something important.

The moment he saw me walking over with my suitcase, his eyes widened in surprise. I even caught a flicker of panic in his expression.

“Livia? What are you doing here?” His voice heavy with unease. The way he gazed was flickering between me and the crowd around us. “I told you, didn’t I? I’m going on a trip for a while,” I said, watching him closely.

He froze for a moment before blurting out, “You’re leaving now?”

“Yeah.” I nodded.

Just then, I noticed a woman behind him, pushing a wheelchair. Seated in it was a little boy, no older than three.

And in that instant, everything clicked.

The child’s face—so strikingly similar to Stephanus’. Almost identical. I had been with Stephanus for four years. But this boy… he was only three.

He followed my gaze, realizing what I had just pieced together. Panic flashed across his face as he hurriedly said, “Livia, this is Claudia—just an old classmate!”

"You must be Livia, right? Steph has told me about you!"

Unlike Stephanus, Claudia was composed and confident as she looked at me.

"My child is sick and needs treatment here. When Steph found out, he offered to help make the arrangements. Livia, you’re not upset, are you?"

I smiled slightly. "Of course not."

"Steph, what’s going on with you? Look at Livia—she looks so exhausted."

She glanced at me, then added in a lighthearted tone, "Livia, you really need to take better care of yourself. If you don’t, you’ll age so quickly!"

Her words made my expression turn cold.

If it weren’t for her and Stephanus taking my child’s life away, would I be in this state?

And now, she was still rubbing salt into my wounds, pretending not to know while deliberately twisting the knife.

"That’s enough, Claudia. Stop talking," Stephanus cut in, his face darkening with discomfort.

Claudia simply smiled at my reaction but didn’t push any further.

"Livia, where are you headed?" she asked, glancing at my suitcase.

"Just need a change of scenery," I said with a faint smile.

I could barely keep my voice steady as I spoke.

"That works out perfectly! While you’re away, I’ll take good care of Steph for you. You know how men are—he’ll never take care of himself properly."

Claudia smiled at me, her tone light and casual.

"And since I just got here and don’t have a place to stay… you wouldn’t mind if I stayed at your place, right, Livia?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but just then, the boarding announcement echoed through the airport.

I smiled faintly, then turned to Stephanus. "I’m heading off now."

"Livia!"

His voice stopped me in my tracks. When I turned back, I saw the flicker of panic in his eyes.

"There’s nothing going on between me and Claudia!" he blurted out.

"Got it."

I gave a small nod, then turned and walked away without looking back.

When I landed, my father was waiting for me at the airport. The moment he saw me, his eyes filled with tears.

"I knew from the start that Stephanus wasn’t reliable, but you wouldn’t listen," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

"Over the years, I’ve helped him more than you know. Without that, he wouldn’t be where he is today."

He held my hand tightly and looked at me with deep concern.

"Now that you’re back, stay with me. Don’t leave again."

I threw myself into my father’s arms and in that moment, everything I had been holding in for so long finally broke free.

I sobbed uncontrollably, my whole body shaking. My father’s arms tightened around me, but I could feel his hands trembling.

I knew he was hurting for me.

Ever since my mother passed away, he had treated me like the most precious thing in his life. No matter what I did, even when I made mistakes, he never had the heart to scold me.

I had always been the person he cared about the most.

The only time we ever argued was because of Stephanus.

I had fallen in love with him, but my father warned me he wasn’t the right man. I refused to listen. His words frustrated me so much that I ran away with Stephanus, convinced I was making the right choice.

What I never realized was that my father never stopped looking out for me.

Even from a distance, he had been silently supporting me, secretly helping Stephanus secure business deals—just so I could have a better life.

And now, I finally understood. Everything he did was for me.

He held me close, speaking softly, comforting me as I poured out all my pain and heartache.

But when I finally looked up at him, his face had darkened. His fists were clenched tightly.

He was furious.

"Stay home," he said, his voice firm. "I’ll deal with Stephanus."

Before my father left, he took screenshots of the evidence and had me sign a document refusing organ donation. Then, he made a call to a private investigator.

He was determined to get to the bottom of everything.

After that, he personally drove me to our family’s villa in my hometown. He arranged for bodyguards to stay by my side, making sure I was safe.

That very night, just as I was settling in, my phone rang. It was Stephanus.

The moment I answered, his voice came through, tense and demanding.

“Livia, where the hell did you go? And what’s this divorce agreement you left on my desk supposed to mean?”

He was angry—frustrated, even.

I stayed cold, my voice emotionless. “Stephanus, tell me—how did my daughter die?”

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. When he finally spoke, his voice was unsteady.

“Livia… what are you talking about?”

“Our daughter… didn’t she die in an accident?”

“…That’s what happened, isn’t it?”

My icy tone sent him into a panic. He stammered, “Livia, what are you thinking? I was devastated too! It was an accident!”

"Stephanus, you killed our daughter for Claudia’s son and even now, you still refuse to admit it?"

My voice was ice-cold as I continued, "Do you really think I could still stay with you after this?"

On the other end of the line, Stephanus fell silent. When he finally spoke, his voice wavered with panic.

"Livia, where did you hear such ridiculous rumors? How could I possibly harm my own daughter?"

I let out a short, humorless laugh. "Stephanus, you forgot to turn off your computer."

There was a sharp inhale from his side. Then, I heard frantic clicking—his hands fumbling with the mouse.

Panic.

Moments later, his voice came back, desperate.

"Livia, you’ve got it all wrong! It’s not what you think!"

I couldn’t be bothered to listen anymore.

"Stephanus, I’ve already filed for divorce. I refuse to stay married to the man who killed my daughter."

"Livia, I won’t agree to a divorce! No matter what happens, you’re still my wife!" he shouted furiously.

I simply chuckled. "That’s not up to you."